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Almost half the UK's clubs have closed in 10 years
Other | Monday 10th August 2015 | Christina
Clubbing in 2015 is in a “challenging place”
The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) reported to BBC’s Newsbeat that of the 3144 clubs that existed in 2005, only 1733 remain today. The dramatic drop in numbers has been caused by numerous things including extended pub opening hours, rising popularity of festivals, higher tuition fees, the recession and changes in licensing rules. Ministry of Sound CEO Lohan Presencer believes that combination of these factors have led people to find a different ways to go out.
ALMR Chief Executive Kate Nicholls believes that it has become too easy for residents who live close to venues to complain about noise, saying “people want to have their cake and eat it. [If] you want a vibe and to live in a cool area, then you need the other, edgier side of it.”
The club closures also have a negative impact on youth employment – the venues that the ALMR represents generated 37,000 jobs last year, 80% of which went to 18-24 year olds.
Although we reported on a new club opening in London last month, these figures do not look good. As Nicholls stated, many clubs “are gone for good and we’re never going to get them back”.
People are fighting back though. DJ Mag are doing their part to fight the club closures, launching the Save Our Clubs campaign - find out more about it on Facebook.
The group WeLoveHackney are concerned that licensing consultations could damage nightlife in the borough. They state on their website "Hackney Council wants to take us back to opening hours of the 1980s. They say that new clubs and music venues in Dalston are “not considered appropriate”, and will stop new venues opening at all in Shoreditch. These changes threaten Hackney’s star power, our ability to attract creative businesses, and our rich cultural life."
Join the campaign by signing up on the website and following them on Twitter. You can also show your support by attending the WeLoveHackney Campaign Launch Party at Dinerama in Shoreditch, Weds 12th August, 6-9pm.
